CVE-2015-2209 in DLGuard
Summary
by MITRE
DLGuard 4.5 allows remote attackers to obtain the installation path via the c parameter to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/14/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2209 affects DLGuard version 4.5, a software protection system designed to prevent unauthorized access and distribution of digital content. This particular flaw represents a sensitive information disclosure vulnerability that occurs within the web application interface of the software. The vulnerability manifests through the index.php script which processes user input parameters, specifically the 'c' parameter that is susceptible to manipulation by remote attackers. The flaw allows malicious actors to extract sensitive installation path information from the system, potentially exposing critical system architecture details that could be leveraged for further exploitation attempts.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves improper input validation and output handling within the DLGuard web interface. When the 'c' parameter is passed to index.php, the application fails to properly sanitize or restrict the input before using it in system calls or error messages. This lack of input sanitization creates an information disclosure channel where attackers can craft malicious requests to retrieve the absolute installation path of the DLGuard system. The vulnerability is classified as a path traversal or information disclosure issue that can be exploited without authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be accessed by anyone with network connectivity to the affected system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the installation path exposure can provide attackers with crucial architectural insights about the target system. This information can be used to plan more sophisticated attacks, including directory traversal attempts, privilege escalation exploits, or targeted attacks against specific system components. The vulnerability directly violates several security principles including the principle of least privilege and information hiding, as it exposes system internals that should remain confidential. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability could result in violations of security standards such as those outlined in the CWE-200 category for information exposure, and could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1083 for discovering system information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2209 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the DLGuard application. The most effective immediate solution involves modifying the index.php script to sanitize all user-provided parameters, particularly the 'c' parameter, before processing them. Implementing proper parameter validation using allowlists or strict input filtering can prevent malicious input from being processed. Additionally, the application should be configured to avoid exposing system path information in error messages or response data. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be enforced to ensure that known vulnerabilities like this one are addressed promptly. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation, particularly in web applications where user input can be manipulated to extract sensitive information.